Collection 00/MS.459 - Harley J. Stucky Papers

Identity area

Reference code

US BCMLA 00/MS.459

Title

Harley J. Stucky Papers

Date(s)

  • 1886-2005 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

64.35 Cubic Feet

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

<em>Mennonite Weekly Review</em> obituary:

Harley J. Stucky, 85, died Friday (Nov. 11, 2005) at his home in North Newton.

He was born July 26, 1920, the fourth child of Julius and Olga Krehbiel Stucky in McPherson County. He was an educator, college administrator, farmer, churchman, author, and spokesman for reform and benevolent causes. He taught history and political science at Bethel College, Bethany College and Central State University. From 1964 to 1974 he was vice-president of academic affairs at Friends University in Wichita.

He attended Mound elementary School, graduated from Moundridge High School and Bethel College, then continued his education at Garret Evangelical Seminary and the University of Chicago. He earned a Ph.D. from Northwestern University and began his teaching career at Bethel in 1948, where he also coached forensics and served as dean of men. His interest in history of the Swiss Volhynian Mennonite emigration to the United States is found in a number of his books, articles and edited works, including histories of Swiss/Russian Mennonites and genealogical records. Throughout his life he advocated a "Doctrine of Love and Non-Resistance" reflected in several of his publications. He was always interested in justice, world peace and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

A man of wide-ranging interests, Stucky served as president of the Kansas Authors Club, as president of the Swiss Mennonite Cultural and Historical Society and as co-chair of the Kansas Red Hard Winter Wheat Centennial.

On March 14, 1945, he married Ruby L. Voth. Their union was blessed with four children: Steven Joe, Franklin Jay, Nathan Paul J. and Rita Joy; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. They also had an extended family including Kenneth and Joyce Kaufman and Lynnett Stucky-Mack and Carla (Stucky) Shuck and their families.

He is survived by his wife, children, extended family and grandchildren. His parents, two brothers Marion and Carl and two sisters Fedora and Lorene preceded him in death.

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

donation; don't know when box 1 was acquired

Content and structure area

Scope and content

The collection documents Harley J. Stucky’s academic career and involvement in numerous historical, community, and church activities. Extensive correspondence is available from throughout his life and provides unique insights into a number of programs, ranging from the early development of Camp Mennoscah and other youth programs (including the North Newton 4H club as well as Western District and General Conference institutions) to the various historical organizations and celebrations for which he played major leadership roles. His insider role occasionally highlighted issues and disagreements within the numerous organizations. Stucky read quite widely and collected many pamphlets and clippings on topics related to his teaching and interests, especially those regarding international relations and nonresistance. Most significant perhaps are the materials on conscientious objection, disarmament ,and universal military service. One unique aspect of the collection is that Stucky retained copies of most, or perhaps all, of the term papers of his students, and the set from Bethel College is especially extensive. This collection provides the most extensive documentation of the Mennonite and wheat centennial celebrations in 1974, and especially of the controversies surrounding the relationship of the Wheat Committee and the Kansas Wheat Commission regarding the Kansas Wheat Center after the centennial.

see also elecrec/acc254 for phonograph record labels

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

boxes 2-110 donated by Frank Stucky (son), July 2010

boxes 111-120 donated by Frank Studky, 20 Dec 2010

System of arrangement

The collection is divided into eight categories of materials: 1) family and education papers, including genealogical materials, coursework, papers while serving as a minister, correspondence, and financial documents; 2) academic papers; 3) church and religious materials; 4) historical organizations and activities; 5) printed materials; 6) photographs; 7) tapes and videos; and 8) oversized.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

open for research use

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

  • English
  • German

Script of material

Language and script notes

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Description control area

Description identifier

ArchonInternalCollectionID:285

Institution identifier

Rules and/or conventions used

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

Script(s)

Sources

Accession area